A rudimentary 2-D fighting game loosely based on several of the Gundam Japanese animated series and movies, Gundam Battle Assault isn't the game that fans would have hoped for, and is definitely not for casual gamers who don't know what the heck a Gundam is. The game's one-on-one combat is between giant robots known as "mobile suits." They can fly up into the air--the screen scrolls vertically to follow the action, providing a little extra headroom in the cramped 2-D arenas--but there's really nothing about the gameplay here that you haven't seen before and played ad nauseam. Originally released in Japan in 1998, Gundam Battle Assault definitely reeks a bit upon its stateside arrival two years later. While the graphics and sound are certainly colorful and mostly faithful to the animated shows, they are unremarkable at best, and, compared to more recent games in the fighting genre, this title is about as bare bones as they come in terms of features, options, and extras. Only two modes of play are available: the requisite two-player versus mode, and a one-player story mode that follows a poorly scripted plot sure to confound Gundam saga newbies and irritate veteran fans with its illogical absurdity. --Joe Hon Pros: Features characters and mobile suits from the various Gundam cartoons Cons: Uninspired gameplay Unremarkable graphics and sound Minimal game features, options, and extras Story mode's poorly scripted plot will either confound or irritate fans